Finland's government approves STEA funding decree changes amid ongoing dispute

Finland's government has approved amendments to a decree governing funding decisions for social and health organizations, a move that concluded a summer of contentious debate over the allocation of STEA grants. The decree changes were unanimously adopted, but they followed months of disagreement, particularly between Social Affairs and Health Minister Wille Rydman and his coalition partners, notably the RKP and the National Coalition Party.

Coalition partners accused Rydman of deviating from agreed-upon plans and introducing discriminatory application criteria. The newly approved decree emphasizes face-to-face, concrete client work, with funding decisions based on overall consideration. However, the core controversy has shifted forward, as the coalition partners have not yet determined whether the decree amendment will override the new STEA grant application criteria published in June, often referred to as "Rydman's criteria."

These "Rydman criteria" prioritize direct client work and proposed cuts for organizations serving non-health-related background and identity groups, wealthier organizations, and umbrella organizations. Critics, especially from the National Coalition Party and RKP, interpreted these criteria as potentially discriminatory, suggesting that minority-focused organizations might struggle to receive state funding. Minister Rydman, however, told Helsingin Sanomat that the decree does not obligate him to change the criteria, which are set to be published in early September. He stated the criteria align well with the decree and guide official preparations, adding that all organizations can apply and political decision-makers can still deviate from official proposals.

Conversely, coalition partners believe the criteria must be revised. Their hopes are now pinned on a forthcoming report from the Chancellor of Justice regarding the STEA grant dispute, expected within August. If the Chancellor finds the decree and Rydman's criteria to be in conflict, the application announcement will likely need further amendments. Rydman believes the decree's emphasis on direct client work implies less funding for other types of work. The dispute also involved Rydman's method of presenting the criteria, which RKP and National Coalition Party members felt violated their agreement to make joint decisions on STEA grants, potentially allowing him to narrow the applicant pool before other parties were involved.

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No, there is no need to update the application notice with its criteria. The criteria are very well in line with the decree. They guide the official preparation. However, all organizations can apply for grants, and a political decision-maker can, if they wish, decide differently from the official proposal.